Inguinal hernias should always be repaired unless there are specific contraindications. For indirect hernias, this is because the complications of incarceration, obstruction and strangulation are greater than those of operation. In infants and children, only the hernial sac needs to be excised - herniotomy. For other groups, the posterior inguinal wall must be repaired also - herniorrhaphy.
Direct hernias do not carry the same risks but the difficulty in reliably differentiating them from indirect hernias makes repair advisable.
When surgery is not advised, a truss may be used. Contraindications to surgery include:
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